May/June e-bulletin
It's that time of year again when the SCEC office is a hub of excitement and festive energy with World Environment Day Festival just around the corner. If you haven't been in a few years, come check out the vibes down by the water, it's not to be missed. On other news, keep scrolling as we've got lots for you this month!
We're just two weeks away!
SCEC Campaign Updates
Council Fails Twin Waters West Test
Maroochy River Update
Senate Inquiry into Shark Mitigation and Deterrent Measures
Marketing Campaign lead to Sekisui development applications

Evan Aldridge himself, Sekisui House Development Manager, has expressed the importance of this site for tourism. It should therefore be its primary and exclusive use, not just a hotel tacked onto an intensive residential estate.
It must be noted that SCEC’s attendance at the discussion group sessions was to ensure transparency and observance of the planning scheme and in no way endorsed any concept or proposal. This is still the case!
The process from here;
Sekisui will send its application to referral agencies.
Council will ask for more information. Developers rarely provide enough information for Council to properly assess an application.
Public notification will take place and submissions will be accepted.
Council will decide the application.
SCEC is looking closely at the application documents and will be making further comment. So stay tuned and check out the application embellished by a slick marketing campaign with all its spin, not genuine community consultation and respect for the planning scheme.
This Letter to the Editor sums it up...!
Council Draft Environment and Livability Strategy
The strategy provides an integrated framework and sets strategic directions to guide actions of council and its partners to maintain a healthy environment and liveable Sunshine Coast in 2041. Key objectives of the strategy are to:
- Maintain and nurture our natural environment
- Tackle the challenge of population growth
- Build resilience against potential impacts of climate change
- Create liveable spaces and places to live, work and play
- Drive renewable energy, efficiency and technical know-how
- Live up to the expectation of future generations
Other SCEC News
SCEC's Earth Hour event was a huge success!
Eumundi proved to be the pefect location to host the 10 year anniversary of Earth Hour. SCEC alongside Starry Nights Cinema, Eumundi Combined Community Organisation and the Sunshine Coast Council put on a fabulous day (and night) of interactive craft activities, marimbas, drumming, street food, a stunning lantern parade and an outdoor cinema. Check out the little clip above that was kindly donated to us by The Film Tree. We'd like to thank the people of Eumundi, our event partners and all who attended for such a memorable event!
SCEC Vice President Mary-Jane Weld with SCEC President Vivien Griffin.
Minister's Environment Roundtable
SCEC joined with our regional and national conservation collegues at the Minister's Environment Roundtable recently. Organised by the Queensland Conservation Council and the Department for Environment and Heritage Protection (DEHP), this is an important and welcome opportunity to brief the Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection and Minister for National Parks and the Great Barrier Reef, the Hon Dr Steven Miles, and senior departmental staff on environmental issues affecting Queensland.
While there were a range of issues raised by the sector, we were also briefed by DEHP on current key conservation topics in Queensland. Issues for this roundtable included climate policy, renewable energy, and coal/Adani related concerns as well as a range of nature protection, ecosystems and planning issues
These forums demonstrate the strong representation and cohesive nature of the conservation sector who work and volunteer passionately on behalf of nature, the environment and communities.
Caloundra Town Reserve Draft Concept Plan
Locals and visitors who enjoy exploring the natural setting of Caloundra Town Reserve are encouraged to have their say on a draft concept plan for the area to guide future uses and activities on the site. The reserve consists of around 49ha of bushland and caters for a range of recreational activities for the community.
Submissions on the concept can be made online via council’s website, or by contacting council for a hard copy of the survey.
Submissions close 5pm on Friday, June 9, 2017.
Around the SCEC Office
Breathing life into the backstreets
Our lovely landlord was good enough to arrange for the well weathered exterior of the SCEC headquaters to be splashed in a fresh coat of paint. Combined with a new flourishing garden we feel it has created a pleasent space for our staff and volunteers to relax and enjoy lunch.
We'd also like to take the oppurtunity to welcome our new volunteers, James, Chad and Jane who have been a huge help amidst busy SCEC happenings - we really couldn't do it without them!
SCEC Events
World Environment Day Festival! - Bands announced!
On Sunday the 4th June we'll be bringing you the 38th annual World Environment Day Festival. Last year we took WED Festival back to its grassroots at Cotton Tree, and this year we'll be doing the same. Come enjoy the afternoon tunes, cold brews and stories from over 40 environmental groups who will be showcasing their hardwork and dedication to conserving the natural values of the Sunshine Coast and beyond. Make sure to jump onto our Facebook event page and invite your friends and family along! It's bound to be a fun day for all!
Call to Action
Crowd Funding Campaign
Queensland Koala Rescue are urgently seeking your support to help raise funds to replace their Koala Rescue vehicle. Please consider donating to their crowd funding campaign below.
Donate here!
Healthy Land and Water Awards
Please nominate those in the community looking to protect our land and waterways. Lets reward, recognise and celebrate them. Healthy Land and Water is an independent, not-for-profit organisation working to improve the sustainable use of land and waterways in South-East Queensland. The nominations are open so please step up for those doing outstanding work in the field.
Global Divestment Day
Global Divestment Mobilsation (GDM) is encouraging divestment as an effective tool to stigmatise the fossil fuel industry. GDM's goal is to solidify the association between climate impacts and the moral urgency to divest from fossil fuels; and to build momentum for divestment in new regions. We missed the start day but we still think you should get involved. See how you can work towards a personal difference.
Latest Environment News
Climate Council
The reef is under the greatest pressure it has ever been under and the worst concurrent bleaching events on record have stressed and destroyed vast portions of the reef. While all this is unfolding, the government is still promoting the Carmichael Coal Mine. A new video by the Climate Council shows climate change in action here. Share the video, keep informed and let’s keep this issue in the forefront of the media and news. For more information, you can also check out the report by the Climate Council here.
River Piracy
Abrupt glacier melt has caused a once powerful river to dry up in Canada's remote north-west, an irreversable change on the areas eco-system.
Is gas a solution to the energy crisis?
Is gas expansion the key to Australia’s energy future? The Climate Council's report found that investing in new gas will drive higher electricity prices and lock in pollution for decades to come. To tackle climate change and protect Australians from worsening extreme weather we need our electricity system to produce zero emissions before 2050.
Water for Life
The South East Queensland’s Water Security Program 2016-2046 has been released. The plan outlines how Seqwater intends to provide safe, secure and cost-effective drinking water over the next 30 years.
Amazon Scrample
Moves are being taken to revoke and downgrade the protected areas in southern Amazonas by 1.5 million hectares.
Queensland Conservation Council - Queensland wants "huge renewables hub" built at aldoga near major coal port
Date Claimers
9 Wallace Park, Noosaville. What happens to our injured critters? Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and RSPCA Qld will be talking about the process of care and release of our injured wildlife.
SCEC AGM - Thursday 29th June - To be held at 4.30pm at 3 Porters Lane Nambour. Winners of the World Environment Day Festival Raffle will be drawn and announced.
Need some Volunteers? – Finding volunteers is sometimes hard. Volunteers R Us is a non-profit platform, built by non-profits for non-profit organisations. This platform’s intent is to help your group source volunteers for your office or projects. Register here.
Have a happy and safe coming month and we look forward to seeing you at the Festival!